Brotherton Library External Lift – University of Leeds

Bowman Riley provided architecture, project management, and the role of principal designer on a new lift for the unique Brotherton Library on the main campus at the University of Leeds.

The Brotherton Library is a Grade II listed Beaux-Arts brick building built in 1936 with Art Deco fittings. The original lift was designed to transport books between floors and cannot be modified to accommodate wheelchair users. The University needed a new lift to provide full wheelchair access to the library in line with the Equality Act; our solution was to create a new external lift shaft and walkway. Centrally located, the lift provides access for all library users and improves the fire evacuation process for disabled users.

Initially, the planners insisted on a traditional brick construction for the new lift, which would be labour-intensive, costly, and has increased health and safety risks. We actively engaged with the planners in the design process through early and continued consultation, which resulted in the agreement to install a steel frame lift shaft with a robust and high-performance cladding system.

This reduced the construction programme on site, provided a financial cost saving and reduced disruption to the day-to-day activities of the highly utilised library facilities.

Due to the high access restrictions to the external site and proximity to the critical delivery access route, close management of the design and health and safety matters was required. Programming and coordination of noisy works, drilling, and cranes were meticulously programmed from the outset to ensure minimal disruption to the library, which offers 365 days a year service.

The new lift provides access for all library users and enables wheelchair users to obtain access to all floors of the Brotherton Library independently and with assistance if required.